Bracing for the storm: Crews ready for anything

Western North Carolina got a small taste Monday of what the rest of the region is bracing for. Snow started falling in Buncombe County around 10 a.m. Monday.

Crews are on standby waiting for more.

The Asheville Public Works Department in preparation of a wicked winter storm. It has 600 tons of salt is on the way to treat the roads.

“We are prepared for all of it. We hope we get snow because snow is a lot easier to deal with than ice, so we hope we get nothing but snow, but we are ready for ice too,” said Tony Chapman with the Public Works Department.

Crews spent Monday pre-treating roads.

Chapman said it's not a matter of if the roads get a slick -- it's a matter of when.

“The temperatures are starting to drop and the roads are wet so they will start freezing,” said Chapman.

It's been a busy winter for the Public Works Department.

So far this season, the city has used 500 to 600 tons of salt and sand. That's compared with just 200 tons the year before.

Some people enjoy these big weather events.

“If we are going to get a snow, let it be something big so we can enjoy it,” said Andrew Jones.

Others are ready for it to be over.

“You know, I am a little nervous,” said Calla Caristo.

Caristo is preparing for her daughter's school to be closed for most of the week.

“We got some food and movies from and we are just ready to bunker down in the house and hang out,” said Caristo.

“When I don't have to go to school it's fun because we can do funner things at the house,” said Caristo’s daughter.

For those that do have to be on the road, crews are asking you to use to extreme caution.

“It makes our jobs a lot easier if people stay off the roads because we have to worry about enough than having to worry about other people on the roads sliding in to us,” said Chapman.

Crews are on 24-hours-a-day standby and will be until the winter storm passes.

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